Eleven-Run Fourth Leads Baseball to 18-6 Victory at Keene State

Recap courtesy of Keene State College

KEENE, NH - Tufts University scored 11 times in the top of the fourth inning to break open a close game en route to an 18-6 win over Keene State College in non-conference baseball action at Owl Athletic Complex on Wednesday.

Nick Barker was one of four Jumbos to score three runs

Tufts has now won 10 of 11 and improves to 19-5. The Owls see their streak of two straight wins come to an end and are 8-14. 

The Jumbos grabbed an early lead when Connor McDavitt walked, stole second, and moved to third on an errant throw on the steal.  Oscar Kutch brought McDavitt home with a sacrifice fly to right.

Keene State responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning, all coming with two out.  Trevor Chapin singled to right-center and Christian Bourgea reached on an error.  Vinny Parilla walked to load the bases, and Abe Grainger walked to force a run home.

Kolby Reggione gave Keene State a 3-1 lead with a single up the middle to bring in Parilla and Bourgea, and Tanner Chase brought in Grainger with a single to left-center.

Tufts scratched back one run in the the second on an rbi groundout by Nick Barker and another in the third on Matt Moser's single to center field.

The Jumbos sent 17 batters to the plate in the fourth inning, as KSC relievers John Williams and Ben Kelly failed to record an out while allowing four runs each.  KSC pitching walked six in the frame.  Kutch drove in three runs in the inning alone with a two-run single and a bases loaded walk.

An error by Moser and Chapin's sacrifice fly allowed Keene State to pull back two runs back in the bottom of the fourth.  Tufts scored three more times in the fifth and once in the seventh.

Tufts finished with 17 hits and reached via a walk 12 times overall.  Kutch finished with six RBI.  Charlie McQuinn earned the win with two innings of no-hit relief.  Williams (0-1) took the loss.

Keene State will look to get back in the win column when they host UMass Boston for an LEC doubleheader on Saturday that begins at 12 pm.  The Jumbos begin a three-game series with NESCAC rival Colby College on Friday.

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